O,o,s-triesters of phosphorodithioic acid as accelerators in the sulfur vulcanization of epdm rubbers

ABSTRACT

CERTAIN O,O,S-TRIESTERS OF PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID ARE EXCELLENT CO-ACCELERATORS IN THE SULFUR VULCANIZATION OF EPDM RUBBERS.

United States Patent 3,712,878 0,0,S-TRIESTERS 0F PHOSPHORODITHIOIC ACID AS ACCELERATORS IN THE SULFUR VULCANI- ZATION 0F EPDM RUBBERS Walter Nudenberg, West Caldwell, Merlin P. Harvey, Passaic, and James U. Mann, Wayne, N.J., assignors to Uniroyal, Inc., New York, NY. No Drawing. Filed Aug. 25, 1970, Ser. No. 66,870 Int. Cl. C08f 27/06 US. Cl. 260-795 B 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Certain 0,0,S-triesters of phosphorodithioic acid are excellent (no-accelerators in the sulfur vulcanization of EPDM rubbers.

This invention relates to (l) the use of certain esters of 0,0-alky1ene-phosphorodithioic acid as co-accelerators in the sulfur vulcanization of EPDM rubbers, being directed to both vulcanizable compositions containing such esters, and improved vulcanizates.

The esters of 2,2 a1kylene-phosphorodithioc acid that are within the invention are the adducts resulting from the addition of 0,0-(2,Z-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid (hereinafter referred to as DTP for convenience) or homologues across an unsaturated bond, such as, for example,

as in styrene or alkene;

-CEC- as in phenylacetylene or acetylene;

\C==N as in acetoxime;

as in benzimidazole;

H O=O as in benzaldehyde;

as in benzalazine; and

-CEN

as in acetonitrile.

The compound to which DTP or its homologues add can have more than one unsaturated bond, and the additive reaction may occur at one or more of such bonds.

The structural formula of DTP is:

R1 CHr-O S B:/ \CH2O SH Accordingly, the generalized structure of the adduct can be represented as follows:

wherein R and R are alkyl groups which can be the same or dilferent and each group can have from 1 to 5 3,712,878 Patented Jan. 23, 1973 ice When R is aliphatic it can have from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 5. Examples of R radicals containing both non-functional and functional moieties follow.

Examples of R as a monovalent radical (i.e., x=1) are 2 a-hydroxyphenethyl (2) -CH-C0OC ;HIz

l-(dodecyloxycarbonyl) ethyl (3) ""GHZCHIGOOCuHfl 2-(dorlecyloxyearbonyl)ethyl C HNHN=C rz- (benzylidenehydrazino) benzyl LT Ha i 1,2,321,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoinden1-y1 i 1 ,2,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydr0-4,7-methanoinden-2-yl (7) CHa- EH-(CEzh-CH:

l-methylheptyl (if H:

a-rnethylbenzyl phenethyl Examples of R as a divalent radical (i.e., x=2) are:

2,5-norbornylene m-phenylenediisopropylene CHI -CH$H C 0 O CH2 CH2O H2 (2-methylethy1eue) carboxytrimethylene trimethyleneoxycarbonylmetbylenecarboxytrimethylene 1,2-pheny1enebls (carboxytrlmethylene) CH2CH2CH2SCH2CH2CH2- thiobis(tr1methylene) -CH2CH2CO0CH2CH20COCH2CH2 ethylenebis (oxycarbonylethylene) p-phenylenedlethylene Additional representative examples of R are ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, vinyl, ally], isopropenyl, butenyl, pentenyl, butynyl, pentynyl, phenethyl, phenylpropyl, phenylbutyl, phenylpentyl, naphthylmethyl, naphthylethyl, naphthylpropyl, naphthylbutyl, naphthyl entyl, cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, decahydronaphthyl.

Representative examples of heterocyclic radicals containing one or more heteroatoms selected from sulfur, oxygen and nitrogen are dihydrothienyl, tetrahydrothienyl, 2,3-dihydrobenz0thienyl, dihydrofuryl, dihydropyranyl, chromanyl, pyrrolinyl, piperidyl, indolinyl, indolidinyl, 1,3-clithiolanyl, 1,4-dioxanyl, imidazolinyl, irnidazolidinyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrazolinyl, dihydropyrazinyl, piperazinyl, dihydropyrimidinyl, dihydropyridazinyl, benzimidazolinyl, 1,Z-dihydrobenzotriazolyl, dihydroquinolyl, 1,2-dihydroquinoxalinyl, dihydrooxathiinyl, thiazolinyl, isothiazolidinyl, dihydrobenzothiazolyl, oxazolidinyl, isoxazolidinyl, oxazolinyl, isoxazolinyl, dihydrooxazinyl, Z-benzoxazolinyl, oxadiazolidinyl, oxathiazolinyl.

Representative examples of alkyl substituted homologues of the aforementioned radicals are methylpropyl, methylbutyl, methylpentyl, ethylpropyl, ethylbutyl, ethyl o pentyl, l,1,3,3 tetramethylbutyl, 4,4 dimethylhexyl,

methylbutenyl, methylpentenyl, methylbutynyl, methylpentynyl, a-methylbenzyl, a-ethylbenzyl, a-propylbenzyl, a-butylbenzyl, methylphenethyl, ethylphenethyl, propylphenethyl, butylphenethyl, a-methylnaphthylmethyl, ethylnaphthylpropyl propylnaphthylbutyl, methylcyclohexyl, ethylcyclopropyl, propylcyclobutyl, methylphenycyclohexyl, ethyltetrahydronaphthyl, butyltetrahydronaphthyl.

Representative examples of alkali substituted heterocyclic radicals are phenethyldihydrothienyl, methylbenzodihydrothienyl, propyldihydrofuryl, butyldihydropyranyl, isopropylchromanyl, butylpyrrolinyl, ethylpiperidyl, ethylindolinyl, isopropylindolinyl, methyl-1,3-dithiolanyl, ethyltetrahydrothienyl, pr0py1-1,4-dithianyl, butyl-L3-dioxolanyl, methyl-1,4-dioxanyl, ethylimidazolinyl, propylimidazolidinyl, butylpyrazolidinyl, pentylpyrazolinyl, niethylpiperazinyl, ethyldihydropyrimidinyl, propyldihydropyridazinyl,

methyl-2,3-di-hydrobenzmidazolyl, ethyltetrahydroquinolyl, propyltetrahydroquinolyl, propyldihydroquinoxalinyl, methyldihydrooxathiinyl, ethylthiazolinyl, propylisothiazolinyl, methyldithydrobenzothiazolyl, butyloxazolidinyl, pentylisoxalidinyl, methyloxazolinyl, ethylisoxazolinyl, propyldihydrooxazinyl, methyldihydrobenzoxazolyl, propyloxadiazolinyl, butyloxathiazolinyl.

Of the 0,0,S-triesters of phosphorodithioic acid which fall within the above general formula, many have been previously reported in the literature. I. H. Bartlett (US. 3,159,664) discloses, for instance, 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), S-u-methylbenzyl phosphorodithioate and its method of preparation. It should be understood, however, that the latter compound has not been previously described as an accelerating agent within or without the temperature limits of the invention. Although synergistic combinations of thiazole accelerators and zinc phosphorodithioate =0,0-diesters are known (see US. 3,308,103 to Coran), it will be hereinafter shown that such compounds are inferior accelerating agents for EPDM rubbers compared with the compounds of the invention.

A new type of adduct disclosed herein is the result of the addition of DTP and its homologues to a C=N- grouping. This is a new reaction previously unreported. This type of adduct is exemplified by 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), S [a (benzylidenehydrazino) benzyl] phosphorodithioate whose preparation is described in Example 7 below.

. PREPARATION The following examples illustrate the preparation of various adducts that are within the invention.

Example 1 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0-(2,2- dimethyltrimethylene), S-m-methylbenzyl phosphorodithioate which is the Markovnikofi 1:1 mole addition product of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid and styrene.

10.4 g. (0.1 mole) of peroxide-free styrene was added dropwise during five minutes to a continuously stirred solution of 19.8 g. (0.1 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 200 ml. of reagent benzene at room temperature. The mixture was then stirred and refluxed for nine hours. Evaporation of the solvent gave a liquid which crystallized very slowly. Recrystallization from cyclohexane gave a solid having a melting point of 8485.5 C. The yield of recrystallized product was 9.5 g. (31.5% of theory).

Analysis.Calcd,. for C H O PS C, 51.64%; H, 6.33%; P, 10.24%; S, 21.21%. Found: C, 51.45%; H, 6.28%; P, 10.01%; S, 20.34%.

The preparation of this particular adduct has been reported in the literature (U.S. 3,159,664 to J. H. Bartlett).

Example 2 This example illustrates the preparation of the anti- Markovnikofr" 1:1 mole addition product of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid and sttyrene.

A mixture of 20.8 g. (0.2 mole) of commercial grade styrene, 39.6 g. (0.2 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 100 m1. of reagent benzene and 0.697 g. (0.004 mole) of tertbutyl peroxypivalate (a 75% solution in mineral spirits) was stirred and heated at 45 C. for 20 minutes and then was heated to reflux. Refluxing and stirring were continued for 7 hours. A 2

ml. portion of the reaction solution was evaporated to dryness and the residue after recrystallization from Skellysolve melted at 67-71 C. A second recrystallization from Skellysolve raised the melting point to 7275 C. A third recrystallization from Skellysolve raised the melting point to 75.5-77 C. A fourth recrystallization from Skellysolve raised the melting point to 76-77.5 C. A mixed melting point with 0,0-(12,2-dimethyltrimethyl), phosphorodithioic acid was 52-59.5 C. The mixed melting point with a purified sample (melting point 8485.5 C.) of the product of Example 1 (the Markovnikofi 1:1 adduct) was 5762 C.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H O PS Z C, 51.64%; H, 6.33%; P, 10.24%; mol. wt.=302.4. Found: C, 51.63%; H, 6.37%; P, 10.36%; mol. wt.'=303.0.

These mixed melting points and the analyses indicate that the product was neither the recovered dithioic acid nor the product from Example 1, but was the anti- Markovnikoii 1:1 mole addition product, viz, O,O-(2,2- dimethyltrimethylene), S-phenethy1 phosphorodithioate.

Example 3 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0-(2,2- dimethyltrimethylene), S [1,2,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7- methanoinden-2-yl]phosphorodithioate, which is the 1:1 mole adduct of dicyclopentadiene (3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydro- 4,7-methanoindene) and 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid (DTP).

39.6 g. (0.2 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid was dissolved at room temperature in 200 ml. of dry toluene contained in a 500 ml., 3-neck, round bottom flask equipped with a stirrer, thermometer, reflux condenser and dropping funnel. To the resultant solution, while stirring continuously, was added 25.4 g. (0.2 mole) of dicyclopentadiene through the dropping funnel during a period of ten (10) minutes. The ensuing exothermic reaction raised the temperature of the reaction mixture to about 52 C. in ten (10) minutes, the solution remaining colorless. After 24 hours at room temperature, the solution was placed in a beaker on a warm steam bath. As the solvent (toluene) evaporated, a white solid crystallized from solution. After 24 hours, the mixture was filtered to remove the white, solid product which weighed 54.6 g. A-fter recrystallization from Skel1ysolve and airdrying, the melting point of the product was 113-116 C. A second recrystallization from Skellysolve gave a product with a melting point of 113.5-115.5 C.

Analysis.Calcd. for C H O PS (1:1 mole adduct): C, 54.52%; H, 7.02%; P, 9.37%; S, 19.41%. Found: C, 53.83%; H, 6.82%; P, 8.89%; S, 18.08%.

An infrared spectrum of the above 1:1 mole adduct showed the complete absence of absorption at 1610 cmr which is characteristic of the double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3 in the following formula:

An absorption maximum was present, however, at 1575 cmr which is characteristic of the double bond between carbon atoms 5 and 6, indicating that the DTP had added across the double bond between carbon atoms 2 and 3.

Example 4 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0-(2,2- dimethyltrimethylene S,S'-(bicyc1o[2.2.1]heptane-2,5-diyl)phosphorodithioate, which is the 1:2 mole adduct of norbornadiene ,(bicyclo[2.2.1]2,5-heptadiene) and 0,0-

(2,Z-dimethyltrimethylene) phosphorodithioic acid.

9.2 g. (0.1 mole) norbornadiene was added dropwise during 67 minutes to a continuously stirred solution of 39.6 g. (0.2 mole) 0,0-(2,Z-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 150 ml. of reagent benzene at room temperature. An exothermic reaction caused the temperature of the mixture to rise to 5 85 C. When the temperature had dropped to 40 0., product began to crystallize from the reaction mixture. Filtration of the mixture gave 39.0 g. of product (79.9% of theory). The melting point (184-194 C.) of the crude product was raised to 194- 195" C. by recrystallization from hot cyclohexane.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C I-1 1 3 (1:2 mole adduct): C, 41.79%; H, 6.19%; P, 12.68%; mol. wt, 488.6. Found: C, 41.28%; H, 5.89%; P, 12.74%; mol. Wt., 459.0.

Example 5 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0-(2,2- dimethyltrimethylene), S-(l-methylheptyl) phosphorodithioate, which is the adduct of l-octene and 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid.

11.2 g. (0.1 mole) of l-octene was added to 19.8 g. (0.1 mole) of 0,0 (2,2 dimethyltrirnethylene), phosphorodithioic acid at room temperature. An exothermic reaction did not occur. After heating the reaction mixture at 100 C. for eight hours, it was placed under reduced pressure (25-35 mm.) at a temperature of 75-85 C. on a rotary evaporator for two hours. The residual, viscous liquid weighed 30.3 g. (98% of theory).

Analysis.-Calcd. for C13I'12702PS2: C, H, 8.76%; P, 9.97%; S, 20.66%. Found: C, 49.92%; H, 8.64%; P, 9.84%; S, 20.0%.

Example 6 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), S,S [2,2-(1,3-phenylene)diisopropylene] phosphorodithioate, which is the adduct of 2 moles of 0,0-(2,2 dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid and one mole of m-diisopropenylbenzene.

15.8 g. (0.1 mole) of m-diisopropenylbenzene, which had been purified by passage through chromatographic alumina, was added dropwise while stirring for six minutes to a solution of 39.6 g. (0.2 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 150 mi. of reagent benzene at room temperature. A slightly exothermic reaction caused an elevation of 5 C. in the temperature of the reaction mixture. After stirring for one hour, the mixture was heated to, and maintained at, 60- 65 C., with continuous stirring, for five hours. Evaporation of the solvent left a crystalline product, covered with a thin layer of clear viscous syrup. The melting point of the crude solid, after washing with Skellysolve, was 111.5 115 C. Recrystallization from a 4:1 mixture of cyclohexane and benzene gave 24.3 g. of product (43.8% of theory for a 2:1 adduct). Another recrystallization from a 5 :1 mixture of Skellysolve and chloroform gave a product melting at 109.5-116" C.

Analysis.Calcd. for CggHg 'O PgSr; H1016 adduct): C, 47.62%; H, 6.54%; P, 11.17%; S, 23.12%; mol. wt., 554.7. Found: C, 47.32%; H, 6.32%; P, 11.18%; S, 25.60% mol. wt, 582.0.

Example 7 This example illustrates the novel preparation of 0,0- 2,2-dimethyltrimethylene S- a- (benzylidenehydrazino) benzyl] phosphorodithioate, which is the adduct of one mole of 0,0-(2,2 dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid to one mole of 1,2-di(benzylidene)-hydrazine (the latter being the condensation product of 2 moles of benzaldehyde and one mole of hydrazine).

To a solution of 39.6 g. (0.2 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dirnethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 150 ml. of reagent benzene was added, dropwise, with continuous stirring over a period of 'five (5) minutes at 25 C., a solution of 20.8 g. (0.1 mole) of 1,2-di-(benzylidene)hydrazine. The resultant mild exothermic reaction caused the temperature of the mixture to rise 5 C. and Within 15 minutes a yellow precipitate began to form. Stirring was discontinued after a total of two and one-half hours, after which the mixture was filtered to isolate the yellow product which had a melting point of 131.5-135.5 C. Recrystallization of the yellow product from a mixture of one liter of cyclohexane and 0.5 liter of benzene gave 28.3 g. of product melting at 132-135 C. A second recrystallization raised the melting point to 135136 C.

Analysis.-Calcd. for C H N O PS (1:1 mole adduct): C, 56.14%; H, 5.70%; P, 7.62%; S, 15.78%. Found: C, 54.81%; H, 5.78%; P, 7.77%; S, 15.33%.

The elemental analysis indicated that the product ob tained was a 1:1 molar addition product of the phosphorodithioic acid and the azine. The yield of product before recrystallization was 37.3 g. or 91.9% of theory.

Example 8 This example illustrates the preparation of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), S-(oxo)-a-hydroxyphenethyl phosphorodithioate. This is the 1: 1 :1 mole adduct of 0,0-(2, 2 dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid, and styrene and oxygen.

To a solution of 39.6 g. (0.2 mole) of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 125 mi. of reagent benzene in a Parr oxygenator bottle was added 20.8 g. (0.2 mole) of styrene. The bottle was placed quickly ino the oxygenator and forty pounds of oxygen pressure from an oxygen cylinder was applied while shalting the reactants. Within 2 hours, a mild exothermic reaction occurred during the uptake of 0.129 mole of oxygen. The reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature. The solid product, weighing only 2.5 grams after drying, was filtered ofif. The reaction mixture filtrate was diluted with ml. of toluene, washed with two (2) 100 ml. portions of 8% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution, one (1) 100 ml. portion of water, then freed of solvent and dried under reduced pressure (2 mm. at 70 C. for two hours). The weight of the very viscous, ambercolored, taiTy-like residue was 37 g. (55.3% of theory).

AllalySiS.-Calcd. for C13H1904PS21 C, H, 5.73%; P, 9.26%. Found: C, 48.41%; H, 5.62%; P, 9.02%.

An infrared spectrum of the chemical (C I-1 041 5 showed absorption maxima at: (1) 3450 cm? (presence of OH group); (2) 685 cm? (presence of P=S grouping); (3) 1050 MIL-1 and 990 cm? (presence of POC grouping).

The reaction of the previous example is not unique. Thus the addition of DTP according to the disclosure in the presence of oxygen under pressure results in the S- (oxo)-a-hydroxy-form of the resultant compound. For example, in the case of Example 5, O,O-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), S-(oxo)-2-hydroxy n octyl phosphorodithioate; and in the case of Example 10, lauryl 3-[0,0-(2, Z-dimethyltrimethylene) S-oxo-phosphorodithioyl] -2-hydroxypropionate.

Example 9 This example illustrates the preparation of lauryl 2- [0,0 (2,2 dimethyltrimethylene) ph-osphorodithioyl] propionate, which is the 1:1 mole adduct of 0,0-(2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid to lauryl acrylate.

To a solution of 19.9 g. (0.1 mole) of 0,0- (2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), phosphorodithioic acid in 70 ml. of methylene chloride was added 24 g. (0.1 mole) of lauryl acrylate in small portions over a period of about one-half hour. The reaction mixture was then refluxed for two and one-quarter hours and then washed successively with 50 m1. of saturated, aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and 100 ml. of distilled Water. The washed solution was then treated With Darco (activated charcoal), filtered and evaporated. The residual liquid was placed under reduced pressure (3 mm.) for five (5) hours at 90 C. The weight of the clear viscous liquid was 36.2 g. (yield=82.4% of theory, calculated as the 1:1 mole adduct). An infrared spectrum showed the absence of the vinyl unsaturation characteristic of the lauryl acrylate.

9 Analysis.-Calcd. for C H PS C, 54.77%; H, 8.96%; P, 7.06%. Found: C, 55.70%; H, 8.85%; P, 7.07%.

The compound formula (Base Formulation) used in this evaluation was:

The elemental analyses showed that the chemical was Pal-ts by wt, the 1:1 mole adduct as indicated above. 5 R0ya1en 302 1 1000 Use of the phosphorodithiorc esters as accelerators: In HAP M k 50 0 the process of vulcanizing rubbers, it is desirable to acac celerate the vulcanization rate so that the production Clrcosol 2XH2 efiiciency of a given size vulcanization unit can be in- Zinc oxide 5.0 creased. One approach to this result has been to raise the Stearic acid L0 vulcanization temperature, but the resulting vulcamzates Sulfur 1 5 have shown themselves to be of inferior quality in several 2 respects. The present compounds, on the other hand, are 'mercaptobenzothlazole very good co-accelerators of the sulfur vulcanization process at elevated temperatures (i.e., at least about 350 to 1A th 1 1 d1 1 t 183-0 0 n e y ene propy ene cyc iopentadiene erpolymer 400 when used combmatlon Such l (EPDM) having an iodine number of 10, an ethylene-propylene accelerators as the thiuram sulfides and disulfides, the diratio of 60-40 and a Mooney viscosity (ML-4) at 212 F.) thiocarbamates and the thiazoles. It thus becomes possible to shorten the cure time very substantially. For example P ;i %i 0 p v g=fl9 7a iay bolt a 30 minute cure at 320 F. can be shortened to just 5 55%? E seconds line minutes at 400 F.

The following demonstrates the use of the chemicals of the invention. Normally they function as accelerators and TWO 1 t 1 t d generally can be used With any conventional accelerator, i ,I acce era ors appear compoun s e.g., a thiazole, a dithiocarbamate, a thiuram monosulfide, A and A Is MoneX (tetl'amethylthlllram monoa thiuram disulfide or a sulfenarnide type accelerator. sulfide) and B is a zinc diester of phosphorodithioic acid [zinc 0,0-bis(4methyl 2 pentyl)phosphorodithioate]. Code Chemical name The particular zinc phosphorodithioate used for comparig g 1 a g l l g g h h d] hi son purposes is one which in combination with MBT gives nc is me -pen y p 05 oro t oate.

0fig,z-gimeth itriz eth iene),s-a-m eth ibemm ho a Synergistic eifect when used to accelerate the sulfur vuloa e. D

a e? ime a -me anoin eney p osp oro 1021 e. 13.20 6- e acce era 01 o,oaz-dimeth immeth iene), S,S-(bicyclo[2.2.1]heptaneyp a Oran) r 2 e-d i 1g l 1 os h odit1i i oe te= S1 h m l h h Chemicals C to I, and K are the eight chemicals whose ps e y met yang) met y epty p osp m 35 preparation is given in the above examples: 1, and 3-10,

. I I, g gigifiigggfiiggfgg(F g; 'if ll z mclusive. Two different cures, V12, (1) a 30 minute cure at met trime y ene enz ene razino O ibemynggspgmditmoate Y Y 320 F., and (2) a 5 m nute cure at 400 F., were used. I g -g g z gggg t y e e), -(oxo) myd o yp e Stress-strain data, including Shore A hardness results, were K Lauryl2-[0,0-(ZZ-Giinethyltrimethylene),phosphorodithioyl] 40 obtained on test pieces which had been vulcanized in a propionate.

press at the two different temperatures indicated.

TABLE I Stock 1 2 4 5 e 7 s 9 10 11 12 Base formulation (MB1=0.5) 183 183 183 183 183 183 183 183 183 183 183 182.5 Chemical:

A 1.5 B 3.0 0 3.0 D 3.0 E 3.0 F G rt 1 K Property (for 30 minute cure at 320 F.):

Shore A 47 52 52 (1) Tensll (2) Elongation, percent.- (3) 5-300, p.s.i 1, Bloom 3 Property (for 5 minute cure at 400 F.):

Shore A 56 49 52 55 Tensile, p 3,220 1,870 2,760 2, 660 2, e20 Elongation, percent 620 790 0 750 s-aoo, n st 820 405 525 525 455 Bloom 3 4 1 1 1 1 Base formulation without 0.5 pt. of MET. 2 After one (1) week at room temperature: 1=none; 2=very slight; 3=moderate; 4=heavy.

Norm-41) =Tensile strength at break; (2) =Ultimete elongation; (3) =Modulus of elasticity at 300% elongation.

The results given in Table 1 show that the chemicals of the invention acting as co-accelerators give good high temperature (e.g. 400 F.) sulfur cures, substantially equivalent to the cures obtainable with prior art accelerators such as the thiuram sulfides and the zinc diesters of phosphorodithioic acid. The comparison of the high temperature (400 F.) cure with the standard temperature (320 F.) cure shows incipient reversion in the Monex stock (A) and appreciable reversion of the zinc diester stock (B). Stocks C to I show that adequate physical properties were developed after only minutes at 400 F. with no evidence of reversion. It is obvious that satisfactory cures can be obtained at temperatures between 320 F. and 400 F. and above by proper adjustment of the cure time. An outstanding characteristic of the chemicals of this invention is that (unlike the prior art accelerators) they produce vulcanizates with very little or no bloom, thereby making them especially useful in injection molding formulations.

The accelerators of the invention can be used to accelerate the sulfur vulcanization of both low and high unsaturation rubbers.

The EPDM rubbers are prepared by interpolymerizing a monomeric mixture containing ethylene, a higher alpha monoolefin containing 316 carbon atoms and a polyene having two or more carbon-to-carbon double bonds. The preferred polyenes include dicyclopentadiene,

1,4-hexadiene,

1,3-pentadiene,

cyclooctadiene,

cyclooctatetraene,

tridecadiene, S-methylene-Z-norbornene, S-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-u-propylidene-Z-norbornene,

5 -iso pro pylidene-Z-norbornene, S-n-butylidene-Z-norbornene, 5-isobutylidene-2-norbornene,

5- 2-methyl-2-butenyl) -2-norbornene, 5- 3methyl-2-butenyl norbornene and 5-(3,5-dimethyl-4-hexenyl -2-norbornene.

The inventive accelerators are particularly useful in the production of vulcanized rubber articles reinforced with polyester (linear terephthalate polyester) fibers such as those described by Daniels in US. Pat. 3,051,212 and Chantry in US. Pat. 3,216,187. These rubber articles include pneumatic tires, V-belts, flat belts, Timing belts (toothed power or synchronizing belts), footwear, coated fabrics, rubberized-fabric containers, etc. When these articles are made using a rubber vulcanizing system with the so-called delayed action accelerators such as the thiurams or the sulfenamides, it has been found that these accelerators exert a deleterious effect on the polyester fiber reinforcement. This deleterious effect is accentuated when the article is subjected to elevated temperatures in service, such elevated temperatures arising from environmental heat and/or internal heat generated by repeated fiexure as in the case of a pneumatic tire or a belt. Apparently these accelerators during the cure and/or in service form a basic environment which accelerates hydrolytic and/or chain scission of the polyester mole cules which in turn causes degradation in the physical properties of the composite article.

The inventive accelerators are uniquely suited as coaccelerators in sulfur vulcanizing systems using thiuram or sulfenamide accelerators because at the elevated curing temperatures of about 400 F. they generate acidic products which can counteract the basic products of the thiuram or sulfenamide accelerators. This counteraction by the inventive accelerators results in a less basic environment which in turn greatly reduces the degradation of the polyester fiber reinforcement.

12 Typical sulfur-containing vulcanizing agents which are exemplary of the vulcanizing agents to be used in the inventive technique are:

Parts/ Vulcanizing agent: parts rubber Sulfur 1.02.5 Tuex (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) 2.04.0 Ethyl Tuex (tetraethylthiuram disulfide) 2.5-4.5

Vultac (alkyl phenol disulfides) 5.0-12.0 Sulfasan R (4,4-dithiodimorpholine) 4.0-6.0

It should be understood that the particular sulfur-containing vulcanizing agent selected and the amount thereof used for vulcanization are not critical to the practice of the inventive technique; the type and quantity of vulcanizing agent used need only be that as would efiect vulcanization under ordinary prior art conditions.

Typical prior art accelerators with which the inventive accelerators can be used are, in addition to MET and MBTS:

Sodium Z-mercaptobenzothiazole Zinc Z-mercaptobenzothiazole 2,2'-dithiobisbenzothiazole Z-(morpholinothio)-benzothiazole 2-benzothiazolyl 1-hexamethyleniminecarbodithioate 2-benzothiazolyl thiolbenzoate 1,3-bis 2-benzothiazolylrnercaptomethyl) urea 2-(2,4-dinitrophenylthio)benzothiazole S- (Z-benzothiazolyl N-diethyl dithiocarbamate N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole-Z-sulfenamide N-tert-butylbenzothiazole-Z-sulfenamide In general, the Weight ratio of the inventive accelerator to the prior art accelerator is from 1:1 to 5:1, with about 2:1 preferred. The rubber compositions which can be cured with the inventive accelerators can contain the usual added additional ingredients, such as sulfur, pigments, antioxidants and/or antiozonants, fillers, extenders, etc. Curing temperatures can range up to about 400 F. and higher depending upon such Well-understood factors as the time of cure, and the type of rubber, prior art accelerator, activator, etc., used.

Of course, it is readily apparent to those skilled in the art, that there are variations of the invention which can be made without departing from its scope and spirit, and all such variations which basically rely on the teachings disclosed herein are considered to be within the scope of the foregoing description and appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. A vulcanizable composition comprising a sulfur vulcanizable ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer rubber, a sulfur-containing vulcanizing agent, an accelerator selected from the group consisting of thiazole, dithiocarbamate, thiuram monosulfide, thiuram disulfide and sulfenamide accelerators, and an accelerating amount of a compound represented by the following formula:

wherein R and R are alkyl groups which can be the same or different and each group can have from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and wherein x is 1 or 2; the 6 portion represents the optional presence of an oxygen atom; R is a radical selected from the group consisting of (a) alkyl having 2-8 carbon atoms;

(b) alkenyl having 2-8 carbon atoms;

(c) alkynyl having 4-10 carbon atoms;

(d) aralkyl except arylmethyl;

(e) alicyclic radical;

(f) hydroxyaralkyl excepting hydroxyarylmethyl;

(g) 1-(dodecyloxycarbonyl)ethyl;

(h) 2-(dodecyloxycarbonyl)ethy1;

(i) u-(benzylidenehydrazino)benzyl;

(j) 1,2,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7 methanoinden-l-yl;

(k) 1,2,3a,4,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoinden-2-yl; all when x=1; and

(1) norbornylene;

(m) phenylenediisopropylene, when x=2.

2. The vulcanizable composition of claim 1 wherein (a) said alkyl is ethyl, propyl or methylheptyl;

(b) said alkenyl is vinyl, ally], butenyl or pentenyl;

(c) said alkynyl is butynyl;

((1) said aralkyl is a-methylbenzyl, phenethyl, phenylbutyl or phenylpentyl;

(e) said alicyclic radical is cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cy-

clopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclopentenyl;

(i) said hydroxyaralkyl is hydroxyphenethyl, hydroxyphenylbutyl or hydroxyphenylpentyl.

3. The vulcanizable composition of claim 2 wherein said rubber is ethylene-propylene-dicyclopentadiene terpolymer.

4. The vulcanizable composition of claim 2 wherein said rubber is ethylene-propylene-dicyclopentadiene terpolymer; said sulfur-containing vulcanizing agent is sulfur; said accelerator is Z-mercaptobenzothiazole; and said compound is selected from the group consisting of claim 1.

6. The vulcanizate produced from the composition of claim 2.

7. The vulcanizate produced from the composition of 10 claim 3.

8. The vulcanizate produced from the composition of claim 4.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Scott et a1. 260-415 Bartlett 260-937 Dunn et a1. 260-927 Martin 260-415 Mazzeo 260-23.7 Anderson 260-29] Morita et a1 260-795 Morita 260-795 Barton 161-231 25 DONALD E. CZAJA, Primary Examiner R. A. WHITE, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

